Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Profile

Idaho, about 33 miles east of Spokane, Washington (population 196,000). Referred to as “the playground of the Pacific Northwest,” this resort community, named after a French trading post, offers outstanding accommodations, championship golf, and a great many recreational activities and attractions. It is in a natural setting with beautiful mountains and forests, crystal waters, scenic vistas and mile after mile of open lands. It is also home to North Idaho College with a 45-acre campus located on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. The population of Kootenai County is 113,000. http://www.coeurdaleneidaho.org/ Lake Coeur d’Alene is about 25 miles long with over 135 miles of mostly unspoiled pine-forested shoreline. Its average depth is 120 feet. This beautiful body of water offers all the water sports, including boating, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, swimming and fishing. The area also has a great many hiking trails, horseback riding, tennis, and four championship golf courses. Other activities include the Northwest’s largest theme park, Silverwood Park, and Coeur d’Alene Tribal Bingo/Casino, which is open non-stop, 7 days a week.

The historic center of the city has a great many shops, including jewelers, antiques and a number of fine art galleries. You will also find a wide variety of dining choices including everything from brew pubs, pizza, super hamburgers, Italian, Asian, or American, to fine dining from award winning chefs. You will also find nightlife, live entertainment and a limited amount of cultural activity, including live theater, symphony, and opera. Annual events include the Holiday Light Show and the Fourth of July fireworks and parade.

Coeur d’Alene has been described as “one of America’s special hideaways, a relaxing getaway,” and “now a worldwide destination.” In addition to all its amenities and activities, the city offers excellent healthcare facilities and is a short distance from Spokane International Airport. The area has a low crime rate and very reasonable cost of living. http://www.cdachamber.com/

Arts & Culture

Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre produces professional Broadway musicals with full staging and live orchestras at the Schuler Auditorium on the campus of Northern Idaho College. http://www.nic.edu/summertheatre/

Museum of North Idaho offers exhibits that explore steamboats, railroads, communities, recreation, the forest service, and the Coeur d’Alene Indians.http://www.museumni.org/

Recreation

There are a great many outdoor recreational opportunities in the 87 parks, including hiking, boating, kayaking, fishing, fly fishing, white water rafting, sailing, swimming, or waterskiing. There are 47 hiking trails in the county, horseback riding, tennis, and campgrounds.

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests comprise about 2.5 million acres of public lands in the “panhandle of northern Idaho, and extend into both eastern Washington and western Montana. The National Forests offer a great many outdoors recreation opportunities, including cabin and lookout rentals, fishing, biking, hiking, horseback trails, hunting, skiing and more.http://www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/

Wild Waters Waterslide Park has nine waterslides, water tube rides, pools, hot tubs and more. It is a magnet for the young – and the young at heart!http://www.wildwaterswaterpark.com/

Coeur d’Alene Tribal Bingo/Casino is open 24-hours, 7 days a week with over 1000 Las Vegas-style machines, off-track betting and more. It also offers outstanding entertainment, including boxing and live concerts.http://www.cdacasino.com/

Education

North Idaho College is one of two community colleges in the state. Its 45-acre campus is located on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Student enrollment is 4,500 in its academic programs and a total of 9,300 when including all course enrollments. http://www.nic.edu/

Weather

The region has approximately 142 days of sunshine and receives an average annual rainfall of 26 inches and 50 inches of snow. The growing season is approximately 120 days, from the last frost in mid-May until about mid-September. The average temperatures for January are a high of 34 and low of 21 degrees. The averages for July are a high of 86 and low of 57 degrees. Coeur d’Alene is at 2,152 feet elevation.http://www.wunderground.com/US/ID/Coeur_D_Alene.html

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